I'm Essence, the creator behind The Renessence Nexus, and I’m thrilled to have you in this space. My journey as an artist has been one full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but ultimately it’s been about embracing creativity in every form it shows up.

I've been an artist since I was a kid, and my creative journey goes beyond the usual art mediums. Growing up, I explored dance, playing instruments, and even theater. I danced, played the viola, drums, and baritone, and I was a flag girl for three years in high school. I cheered for one basketball season, performed on college dance teams, and even had a role in an Aladdin ballet production as a child. Art has always been a part of me, no matter the form.

But my deeper dive into fine art came during a transformative time in my life—during my 2019-2020 deployment. While gearing up to head to Kuwait we had a training in California that put us without phones for two weeks. In that challenging moment, I began sketching the things around me, not even knowing where it would take me. This sparked a curiosity that led me to buy art supplies—coloring books, pencils, sketchpads—and even an iPad to start digital art when I made it to Kuwait. I shipped canvases, paint, and brushes to my base, finding solace in painting while on duty.

When I returned to the States, I moved to Dallas and made a decision to dive deeper into my art. I invested in more supplies and attempted to start a wood painting business. While I didn’t get far, the experience taught me a valuable lesson about the work it takes to run a business. But, as life does, it knocked me down and I put my art aside for a while.

A pivotal moment came when I had a therapy session that brought me back to myself. I realized I couldn’t abandon my art. That following year, on January 11th, 2021 at 1:11 PM, I officially opened my online art business. Since then, it’s been a mix of rebrands, trials, and lessons learned, but one thing is for sure—I will not give up. I will adapt, learn, and keep moving forward. And I want to help others do the same.

Along the way, I've been fortunate enough to receive an art grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Art Alliance, participated in two Pancakes and Booze art shows, and been invited to a residency in New York. I've had my work selected for submission in an art book and have been asked to collaborate on children's books. I'm continuously exploring my passion for art and am planning to pursue a Master of Fine Arts and additional art certifications.

Beyond the fine art world, I’ve also pivoted to technical fields, diving into UX/UI design, AI, machine learning, and augmented reality. I’m a firm believer in embracing change and expanding my horizons, and I hope my journey inspires others to do the same.

Through The Renessence Nexus, my goal is to create a space where artists—especially Black creatives—can find the resources, community, and inspiration to keep pushing forward. Whether you’re just starting your creative journey or you’re already on your way to building your own business, I’m here to help you navigate the ups and downs, just like I did. We’re in this together, and I can’t wait to see how far we’ll go.

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